The Issue Of Trust

Restored from the Empower Network archive (2011–2017), lightly edited to meet our current advertising standards. Views are the original author’s.

Being an online entrepreneur has definitely had its challenges and I would have to say that the journey to becoming a business person on the internet has made me more than a little wary of other would be business people online…..I have been burned more than once and I am now very cautious when it comes to giving up one of my most precious gifts to another person or entity…..my trust.

People will try and take advantage of you, no question. I did not understand this when I first entered the online world, I naively thought that people would treat me just as I would treat them, fairly and with value….I was wrong but that is ok, it was a lesson I needed to learn. As much as we would like it to be that way, we cannot trust everyone so we have to learn to be prepared and to take precautions.

Research Where Your Trust Is Going

Before entering into any kind of business arrangement with anyone make sure that you research them and what they are offering extensively. With most products and services or opportunities there are usually good and bad comments and reviews so do your due diligence and try and remember that just because someone wrote bad things about something it does not mean it is true, quite often people vent off because they did not succeed like they wanted to in an opportunity, they did not make a million dollars overnight and want the world to know, however, if there are several complaints about service or follow up or bad products then that is usually a cue to listen. Also trust your instincts, if you dare!

Check out the website of what you are looking at. It should be well presented, easy to navigate, have good content about the product, service or opportunity and have easy to find contact information. Never hand over any money or card details until you are 100% certain that it is safe and what you want. If your own business needs you to purchase things from the internet then ask your colleagues before buying, they may already know which brands, businesses and services to trust and use.

Building Trust

When interviewing prospects for your business, get into the habit of asking lots of questions. Don’t be invasive of course, the questions you ask should be pertinent to your business but make sure that the people you accept are of similar mindset to you and that their personality is a good match for you. You don’t have to accept everyone who wants to join you, sometimes it just may not feel right and it is better to let the person go now than to waste time trouble shooting later, trust your instincts.

The same will go for the people looking at your products/service or opportunity. They need to know that they can trust you and what you are offering. Be transparent, give a little of yourself, let them know you are real and that you have their best interests at heart.

Hone your own business ethics by feeding your mind with material from those you admire and emulate and trust, as you become the person you want to be, you will attract people like you to you and as you become better at reading people you will see the signs and develop skills that will let you bypass these people or situations easily if you feel you need to. Guard your <u>trust<u/> carefully but don’t be afraid to give it up wholly once it has been earned.